Nick Groke writes about Scott Oberg and his role in the Rockies bullpen moving forward after a lost season. Scott was far and away the best pitcher out of the pen this year for the Rockies, and it wasn’t really close at all. Groke points out how Oberg was not only the best in a traditional sense, but in advanced metrics, as well, and suggests the feline-friendly righty might have a leg up on his competition to be the Rockies exclusive closer in 2020.
Gray aims to be a force after foot fully heals | MLB.com
Just like Oberg, Jon Gray is looking to rebound from injury following a season in which he was the best starting pitcher for the Rockies (if only there was some kind of word for that...) and hopes to build on his recent success going into next year. As it turns out, Jon not only led the team in ERA, ERA-, and FIP, he did so while pitching on a broken foot.
Thomas Harding discusses Jon’s plans for improving on his 2019 season and how he hopes to strike fear into his opponents like Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke does now. Jon tells Thomas there were a bunch of training routines and exercises he avoided due to pain in his foot, and he now will be fully recovered in time for offseason workouts and get back to building his strength better than ever.
Saunders: Nolan Arenado Show is wowing ’em from coast to coast | Denver Post ($)
Patrick Saunders knows there’s not a lot going right for the Rockies currently, and it’s been tough watching them play baseball lately. But whereas all the other bad teams have to suffer in mediocrity, at least we get to watch Nolan Arenado play baseball every day. And what a sight it is.
Nolan will likely go down as the greatest player in franchise history, according to Saunders, and possibly one of the best third basemen to ever play the game. He is undoubtedly on a Hall of Fame career track, and we are lucky enough to watch him in his prime, destroying baseballs and flashing leather like no one else.
In fact, a handful of Red Sox players were so impressed with Arenado following their visit to Coors Field, they raved about him in post game interviews without even being asked. Rafael Devers said about Nolan, “He does everything... I had chills watching him,” and JD Martinez added, “He makes every play.” Players often say praise from their peers is the best kind, and Arenado continues to amaze everyone around him. Luckily, he’s ours.
On the farm
As the seasons wind down for the Rockies affiliates, as well, many prospects will continue to make their case for getting promoted to a higher level in 2020. Yesterday, Ryan Vilade went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double, raising his slash line to .302/.366/.466, and looks ready to become a Yard Goat next season.
Bladimir Restituyo, playing for the Grand Junction Rockies after spending most of the year in Boise, was 2-for-4 and hit a home run while driving in three. In fourteen games with the rookie level club, Bladimir is slashing .339/.349/.508 and looking to prove he still deserves playing time at a higher level after a disappointing year in short season A-ball.
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes at Fresno Grizzlies
Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies 4, Hartford Yard Goats 1
High-A: Lake Elsinore Storm 6, Lancaster JetHawks 3
Low-A: Rome Braves 8, Asheville Tourists 4
Short Season-A: Hillsboro Hops 10, Boise Hawks 3